IT IS STILL UNSETTLED

 

Not Determined Yet Whether Mrs. Hossack Will Waive to Grand Jury.

 

INDIANOLA, Dec. 10.--(Special.)--It is still unknown whether Mrs. Hossack will waive preliminary trial tomorrow. Judge Berry, attorney for the defense, stated this afternoon that he had not yet decided himself but that so far as present plans go, the trial will be held.

It is believed he will insist on the trial of the case unless it develops that County Attorney Clammer has unexpectedly strong evidence, in which case the trial will be waived and the case taken directly before the grand jury.

It was learned today that a neighbor of the Hossacks will testify that Mrs. Hossack sought to have her husband arrested a year ago on a charge of insanity but failed; and that at another time she told a neighbor that he had threatened to leave her and divide up the property between them.

County Attorney Clammer stated today that the interviews appearing in the Capital and Leader purporting to come from him were fakes and that he has given out nothing concerning the case.

The talk about the likelihood of Mrs. Hossack pleading insanity belongs in the same category. Her attorneys claim the state hasn't a scintilla of evidence on which to base the charge of murder and that as a plea of insanity would be virtual admission of guilt, it is preposterous to think of it.

As an evidence of how hard pushed some of the Des Moines newspaper men are, one has but to regard the story that it was brought out at the coroner's inquest that there were spots of blood on Mrs. Hossack's chemise. This is quite true but certainly has no bearing on the case as the defendant readily accounts for this by the statement that the blood was splashed on her when the assassin struck her husband.

 

The chemist to whom the blood found on the boards near the corn crib and on the porch was referred for analysis, has made his report. He says the blood on the boards was that of fowls. He was asked for a report as to the nature of the blood on the porch but absolutely declined to commit himself. The refusal to answer is regarded as significant.

Public interest is unabated and is apparently increasing. Mrs. Hossack is not without friends but sentiment is still overwhelmingly against her. Members of the family are standing by her to an individual and visit her in her cell at the county jail almost every day.

Absolute secrecy is maintained as to the theory of the defense. Henderson and Berry, who are Mrs. Hossack's attorneys, absolutely decline to discuss the case.